Suspicious Device Located; Investigation Ongoing

Published on January 29, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Helena Police Department

Date: January 29, 2026

Contact: Lt Adam Shanks

Phone: 406-457-8838

Email: ashanks@helenamt.gov

Suspicious Device Located; Investigation Ongoing

At approximately 10:00 a.m. today, the Helena Police Department (HPD) received a report of a suspicious device located on private property in the area of Dakota and Davis Street. The caller reported discovering the device near a building, safely removed it from the immediate area, and contacted law enforcement.

Based on the appearance of the item, it was treated as a suspected improvised explosive device (IED). HPD immediately initiated an investigation and requested assistance from the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Due to the device’s proximity to a planned protest in the area of Helena High School, law enforcement worked in coordination with Helena Public Schools to notify school officials of the potential concern. As a precaution, officers conducted thorough searches of the area where the device was located, the surrounding neighborhood, and areas near Helena High School, including possible routes associated with the planned protest. No additional suspicious items were found.

At this time, there is no evidence indicating that the device is related to the planned protest or that there is any ongoing threat to the school or the community.

The incident remains under active investigation by the Helena Police Department in collaboration with the ATF and FBI. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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